Location
Woking, Surrey

Hours
36 hours per week

Salary
£41,585 per annum

About the Role
We are seeking an enthusiastic and adaptable Ecologist to join the Natural Environment Team at Surrey County Council. You will play an integral role in delivering the biodiversity duties of the Council. The role involves a mix of office work (a minimum of two days per week is encouraged) and travel across the County for meetings and ecology surveys. Some evening and early morning work will be required to carry out ecology surveys.

You will work closely with colleagues across the Natural Environment team and collaborate with departments including Planning, Countryside Estates, Flooding, Highways, and Land and Property. Your day-to-day duties include reviewing and providing written consultation responses to planning applications, focusing on compliance with ecological legislation and policy. You will undertake specialist fieldwork relating to protected species, habitats, and designated sites, and prepare technical reports and correspondence to support permitted development projects and planning applications.

Additionally, you will contribute to the delivery of the council’s biodiversity policies such as Biodiversity Net Gain and support partnership-based strategic projects, including initiatives focused on highway verges. Projects span natural flood alleviation, nature-based solutions, biodiversity improvements along highway verges, and assessment of council-owned land for Biodiversity Net Gain habitat banking and wider nature recovery initiatives.

With ecology legislation and policy evolving rapidly, this role offers a valuable opportunity to embed the natural environment within decision-making processes across the organisation.

Our offer includes 26 days’ holiday rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years, the option to buy up to 10 additional days, a generous local government pension, up to 5 days carer’s leave, 2 paid volunteering days per year, paternity, adoption and dependents leave, an Employee Assistance Programme, access to a learning and development hub, wellbeing and lifestyle discounts, and the chance to make a real difference to the lives of residents.

Experience
At least 2-3 years relevant experience in a full-time ecology or environmental role.
Good working knowledge and application of biodiversity legislation and planning policy in Surrey and England.
Experience with a wide range of surveys for protected species.
Confident in assessing ecological impacts and applying the mitigation hierarchy.
Excellent report writing skills with the ability to adapt style for different audiences and purposes.
Good IT skills including MS Office (Word, Excel, database management systems, PowerPoint).

About you
Enthusiastic, adaptable, and able to work collaboratively across teams and departments.
Strong communication skills with experience liaising with multiple stakeholders.
Committed to contributing to nature recovery and biodiversity ambitions.
Access to own vehicle and a clean driving licence is required.

Qualifications
Degree, HNC or equivalent in a relevant subject.
Graduate or Associate membership of CIEEM (or eligibility to apply immediately).